Liz McLaren posted an announcement to the Facebook cause Stop Transphobia
Subject: A call to action from Trans London regarding journalist Julie Bindel's nomination for Journalist of the Year by the Stonewall organization.
Hi Everyone! I want to forward to all of you a letter I received from Tessa Hauke regarding a journalist by the name of Julie Bindel with arguably trans-phobic views. Please have a read and if you or others you know are in the London area, please let them know!
Yours,
Liz McLaren
Founder, the "Stop Transphobia" Facebook cause
________________________________________
Hello to the Stop Transphobia Cause Members,
I am writing to you asking for your support in protesting against Stonewall's nomination of Julie Bindel for their "Journalist of the Year" award. Please see http://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Stonewall" is a very influential gay political lobbying group in the UK. It differs from Stonewall organisations in the US in that it does not include Trans issues in its agenda, except for its youth affiliate, which is very queer in its outlook.
Just to outline the situation, Julie Bindel has previously made many transphobic comments, on her column in the Guardian UK newspaper, on message boards and when she took part in a debate on BBC Radio 4 regarding gender reassignment surgery as "unnecessary mutilation".
I have included the following links to some of her work:
www.guardian.co.uk
news.bbc.co.uk
www.guardian.co.uk
She believes that the use of "Talking Therapies" should be used instead of gender reassignment surgery. Whilst this may be a viable option for some people, it is certainly not a panacea for all.
As recently as April 2008, she criticised the British Film Institute when they hosted the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival for making available "Gender Neutral" toilets for Trans people who were uncomfortable with using male or female toilets (including some Trans people who use wheel chairs).
Trans Activists in the UK believe that by Stonewall giving her recognition, she will do considerable damage to Trans people in the UK.
We have organised a campaign on Facebook: Transphobic Julie Bindel nominated for Stonewall Award and to date, the number of people offering their support has reached over 400 members, including the radical feminist Linda Bellos who campaigned vigorously in the 1970s and '80s..
On November 6th, activists will be demonstrating outside the venue for the Stonewall Awards Ceremony.
Kindest regards,
Tessa
Co-Founder TransLondon.org.uk
You can tell Stonewall of your objections by email: info@stonewall.org.uk
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